Ravenlight (The Ravenlight Cycles Book 1) Page 11

  When I opened them, the fire wasn’t as bright, yet it still burned, as if time had skipped ahead.

  Revan and his siblings slept on the ground, scattered around the fire.

  I quietly maneuvered to his sleeping form. “Revan,” I whispered.

  His eyes rolled and turned behind his eyelids, as if lost in dreams.

  When I laid a hand on his shoulder, it passed right through. To me, he was nothing more than a ghost.

  I knelt on the ground and stared at his sleeping, peaceful face. My fingers longed to touch his smooth, warm skin and wrap themselves in his soft, long hair.

  “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I hope you find happiness and a place in the world after I’m gone.”

  A sharp gust of wind blew, sending the soaring embers toward me—toward the hide-covered dwelling at my back.

  In horror and fascination, I watched them land on the surface. Several small fires licked the material, growing larger by the moment.

  Fear rushed inside my veins, but I stood and headed toward it. Lifting the flap to step inside, the smell of charred hide floated in the air. Several dark forms slept, unaware this was about to be their final moments.

  “Wake up,” I yelled, but no one stirred. To them, I was a puff of air. I need to save them. Even though I was sure I couldn’t touch their sleeping forms, I still threw my hands around a sleeping woman. To my surprise, solid flesh met my fingers.

  She didn’t stir, but I gripped her under the armpits and dragged her from the tipi.

  At least that’s one person rescued. With one last glance toward Revan’s sleeping form, I drew a deep breath and crawled through the flap again.

  The fire moved across the walls, growing hot and fierce. I cried out in pain, the heat against my skin an inferno eager to toast my flesh. Orange light flickered, revealing roiling smoke billowing inside the dwelling. Still, the sleeping forms did not stir.

  How can they not smell the smoke and feel the building heat?

  But I knew why. They’d fought earlier and were exhausted.

  Lightheaded, I stumbled to the next sleeping body and fell. I tried not to stare at her face. Fear shook me to my core, knowing the fate these people and myself were about to endure, yet it was my choice.

  I was too tired to try and get up. My body needed oxygen to move, and the fire greedily sucked it from my lungs. Please let this end quickly. I coughed. Maybe it would be better to gulp in the smoky air and die from suffocation before the fire reached my skin.

  Now lying on my back, I looked upward. Tongues of flame chewed their way down the walls, now four feet from the ground.

  Adrenaline coursed through my limbs, and I fought an intense urge to throw myself outside, to run from death.

  Instead, I closed my eyes and recalled Revan’s gentle smile and brave soul. No, I choose to trade my life for his. After all, shouldn’t we put those we adore and treasure above everything else, including ourselves?

  My mouth tipped in a small smile.

  Intense heat and blinding light crawled across my flesh, and the sound of screaming pierced the night. I wasn’t sure if it was coming from me or someone else in the tent. My mind reeled from the unending pain until I floated above the entire scene.

  Peace flowed through my veins, and love burned my heart.

  One life for another.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Pecos “Revan” Chogan

  Anguished cries pierced my ears, and I threw myself into a crouch, grabbing the knife at my waist, my gaze searching everywhere at once.

  The earlier bonfire burned lower.

  Imala and Chief Pahayoko stirred on their pallets.

  Desperate shrieks pulled my attention to the outer rim of our camp. A triangle of fire burned, its hungry tongues licking skyward.

  “No,” I cried out, trying to rouse the others. “We must save them.” I sprinted the twenty feet to the burning dwelling.

  An inferno ate its way across the tanned hide. The muffled cries and shrieks stopped abruptly.

  Diving under the flap, I plunged my hands inside, fighting the intense heat and choking smoke. Feeling soft flesh under the pads of my fingers, I clamped on and hauled the body from the oven and into the cool night air. When we were several feet away, I released her ankles and prepared myself to dive inside again. When her face came into view, though, I froze, unable to breathe. Dread and sorrow tumbled in my chest and black fury threatened my vision. Though I couldn’t remember who this beautiful woman was, seeing her still form stirred something desperate within my bones.

  Creamy pale skin shone through the dark night. Long black lashes rested against the tender flesh under her eyes.

  “Sophie.” In a rush, everything came back to me—my memories of this night, of Ravenlight, of meeting the woman I loved. “No, please, no.” I was supposed to protect her, keep her from dying. Trembling, I caressed her soft cheeks, my tears dripping onto her neck.

  Lifeless, her head flopped backward in my arms.

  I screamed into the sky, feeling something in my throat tear from the murderous force pouring through me. “This was not her debt to pay. Take my life instead. I’m responsible, not her.”

  Only the crackling blaze answered.

  Gently, I set her body onto the ground and stroked her forehead, smoothing the burnt hair from her face.

  Everything has been for nothing. We’ve lost our hunting grounds, our youth, our culture—and now I’ve lost my heart. Crumpling beside her unmoving form, I crushed her cooling body to mine, writhing on the ground with her in my arms.

  After several minutes or hours, a weight on my shoulder stirred me from my black thoughts.

  “Pecos Revan Chogan.”

  My eyes flicked to the old shaman standing above me and Sophie. “You. You murderer.” Anger surged within, yet I knew it would do no good against his power. She’d sacrificed her soul for me, and he would never give it back.

  I hate him.

  Tucking a few pieces of hair behind her ear, I ignored his presence, keeping my focus on her, committing her face to memory.

  How long will it take to lose focus, for the edges to become hazy and soft, until the only memory I retain is a vague impression?

  “Be easy, my brother.” A female voice, soft and musical, spoke next to my ear.

  Startled, I quickly sat, wrapping my arms around Sophie, as if I could shield her from this new threat.

  A young woman with wavy dark hair and a multi-strand bone necklace smiled. Her gaze traveled to Sophie’s unmoving form and her hand settled onto Sophie’s chest.

  I flung my arm to dislodge her fingers from her skin, ugly fury building in my heart at such boldness, especially after what had just been given. Is it not enough that she gave them her life and soul? Do they want her body now?

  “You will not touch her,” I said in a growl, clenching my teeth.

  The woman nodded. “She sacrificed her soul so I could live.” With little effort, the woman lifted my hand away, as if I were nothing more than a child. “She passed the trial. Her willingness to trade her life for not one person but two”—she pointed to herself and then to me—“shows her selflessness.” Pressing the tips of her fingers against Sophie’s chest, she bent her neck forward, her lips close to Sophie. “Come back. It is not yet your time.” The woman pressed a soft kiss to Sophie’s lips.

  A strangled gasp shot from Sophie’s mouth, and my heart jumped into my throat.

  Ignoring everyone but the strong, stubborn girl in my arms, I gently shook her. “Sophie,” I whispered, barely daring to believe she was alive.

  “Revan?” Her lashes fluttered, and she coughed.

  “Oh, thank the Spirits.” I stretched out on the ground and squeezed her against my chest. “I thought you were dead.”

  She laughed, though it was harsh and raw. “I think I was, but everything’s blurry—I can’t remember it all.”

  The grass under our bodies disintegrated, and my stomach did a somer
sault. Her sweet, floral fragrance overrode the char of flesh, and the world pulsed in time with my heartbeat.

  “I thought I’d lost you.” I clenched my jaw and swallowed a painful ball of emotion blocking my throat. “I love you more than you’ll ever know.” I stroked her hair, unable to speak anything else unless I wanted her to see me cry like a big man-baby.

  With a tired grin, she pushed against my chest. “I love you too, Revan.” Sighing, she fell asleep in my arms.

  Tears of happiness blurred the millions of stars shining from the night sky. The debt had been paid, yet knowing I would remain human for the rest of my life wasn’t what made my chest burst with happiness.

  Sophie loved me so much she’d sacrificed her life—her soul—to set me free. Her selfless act tore me open and made me whole at the same time. I could never repay my debt to her, but I planned on spending the rest of my life trying.

  EPILOGUE

  Sophie Brannigan

  “Come on, girl. Don’t dawdle.” Miss Lottie’s voice rang through the quiet evening. “I need to get home before it gets dark. My peepers ain’t what they used to be.”

  I twisted the key in the lock then stuffed it into my purse. Grasping one of her thin arms, I lent my body for support.

  Miss Lottie’s feet stopped, and she took one last glance toward the shop. “I’ve been here nearly every day for fifty years. It’ll be hard to let it go.” A sheen of tears coated her eyes until she blinked them away. “But it’s in good hands.” She patted my shoulder.

  “You know it is.” I smiled and helped her to her car.

  “Now, don’t you be shy. You bring that handsome man ’round to my dinner table every now and again, ya hear?” Strapping the seatbelt across her shoulder and into its clasp, she grinned, showing a few gaps where several teeth used to reside. “He’s a mighty fine catch, ain’t he?”

  It was my turn to smile. “Yes, most definitely.”

  She turned the engine, and her classic, cherry-red VW Beetle coughed itself to life. With a wave, she backed out of the parking lot, nearly taking out a light pole on the way.

  Cringing, I shook my head and prayed she made it home without killing herself or someone else. I stepped to my own vehicle and grasped the handle but froze.

  A raven landed on the car’s hood and peered at me. In a flash, it morphed into Revan, and I giggled, scoping the area to ensure no one watched. The sidewalks and streets were clear, and I relaxed.

  He sat on my car, his long legs dangling over the side, a self-satisfied smirk curving his lips.

  “You’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days.”

  “Keeping an eye on my woman.” He jumped down, carefully tugged the turquoise pendant around my neck, and pressed me into the metal frame, molding his large body over mine.

  Looking up, I cupped his cheek. “I’m fine. A little nervous about taking over Miss Lottie’s shop, but other than that, I’m okay.”

  His lips trailed kisses down my neck and a hand wrapped around my waist, pressing me against his pelvis. “You have nothing to worry about. You’ll do well.”

  Standing there under the dusky rose sky, I let his mouth hungrily devour my lips for several moments, losing myself in the protective circle of his arms.

  “I talked your aunt into letting me work the land around her house. In a few months, those fallow fields will produce wheat, and I’ll have several horses trained.” He caressed my cheek with a thumb.

  “I don’t care if you have money or not, Revan; you know this.” I gripped his biceps. “I want you exactly the way you are.”

  “I know.” He guided my head to his chest and traced lazy circles down my spine. “But this is my chance for a new life, and I’ll not come to our marriage destitute, with nothing to offer my future wife.”

  “Wh-what?” I jerked backward, my eyes searching his face. “What did you say?”

  “Sophie Brannigan, will you join your spirit with mine?” White teeth flashed against the glowing skin of his face. “I wish to become your husband, if you’ll have me.”

  Chills broke across my skin, and I laughed.

  His grin faltered, and blood rushed up his neck like wildfire.

  “You amazing man.” I squeezed his cheeks in my hands. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” Throwing my arms around his broad shoulders, I embraced him and shouted with happiness. This is what love should be—not a prison or weapon, but a burst of happiness and contentment. After another deep kiss, I broke away. “I feel guilty for feeling this happy, though. What about the rest of your tribe? How can we break their curses?”

  Revan opened the driver-side door, and I slid inside. He walked around the front of the car and seated himself in the passenger’s seat. “I think”—he tapped his chin—“they will also need to find their true loves, those willing to lay their life and souls on the line.” He laced his fingers with mine and kissed the knuckles. “I thank the Great Spirit for you every day, and not just for the freedom.”

  Remembering my burning flesh and waking from that nightmare surrounded by his family, a deep shudder shook my body. But then another memory overrode the agony; a kind woman—her willowy body outlined in blue ethereal light—had stretched a hand to pull me to the Earth. But it wasn’t just her grasp that had brought me back.

  Below my floating form, Revan’s pain had twisted his face into a thing of great sorrow, snuffing out the light of those amber and chocolate irises. It had been a terrible sight to behold, and I’d chosen to return—to live, to love—because at that moment, I’d seen exactly how much I’d meant to him in life.

  He quirked an eyebrow and grinned.

  “You saved me, too.” I squeezed his hand and let go, focusing on the road before me.

  The little shops and restaurants of downtown Milford Creek faded, replaced by sprawling ranches and gently rolling fields of wheat and grass. I steered toward home, content to watch the countryside fly past the windows, warmth and happiness filling my soul.

  Up ahead, an older, tan pickup blocked the shoulder of the roadway.

  “Slow down.” Revan craned his neck to peer through the windshield. “There’s a man under that vehicle.”

  Slowing the car to a crawl, I spied a guy lying on his back, fiddling with something underneath the truck’s bed. “Maybe he broke down.”

  “Pull up and I’ll check.” Revan unbuckled his seatbelt.

  “Wait. It’s not always a good idea to talk to strangers out here. It could be a trap.” Every horror movie I’d ever seen with a deranged hitchhiker or serial killer flashed through my mind.

  “In this scorching heat?” Revan squinted and rubbed his chin. “No, that man needs help, and I don’t just mean with his transportation. I am not sure I can explain how I know—I just do. He’s either searching for someone, missing something, or both.”

  Well, who am I to argue with a man who’s from the past and can transform into a bird? “Okay, I’m trusting you, but when we get back home, we’re sitting down to watch The Hitcher.”

  I followed Revan out of the car, and he and I stopped near the back of the pickup.

  An unattached tire, propped against the bumper, showed shredded strips of rubber curling toward the black pavement. The man adjusted something, metal clanging against metal, but he seemed to be oblivious to our arrival.

  “Excuse me. Do you need assistance?” Revan bent to the asphalt and leaned his head to look under the vehicle, his long black hair brushing against the surface of the street.

  I chuckled at his formal words and tone.

  The man jumped several inches from the ground, and a metallic thwang disturbed the song of grasshoppers and rustling wheat. “Son of a…” The rest of his curse was lost as he shimmied out from under the truck.

  When he stood, steely-blue eyes widened, and a line formed between his straight eyebrows. Short blond hair barely concealed his scalp. A brightly colored, intricate sleeve tattoo covered one arm. He threw a tire iron to the ground, wiped a palm on his
frayed jeans, and offered Revan a handshake. “Sorry, I didn’t realize there was a lady here.” Pink bloomed on his cheeks. “I’m Jaggar Martin, and yeah, today’s turning to crap. Hell, the whole month has been crap.”

  “Revan Chogan.” The men shook hands, then Jaggar offered me a quick, formal shake.

  “Sophie Brannigan.” I smiled and returned the brisk gesture. “No worries. It wouldn’t be the first time I ever heard a cussword.”

  Revan moved his glance from the destroyed tire to the man. “What can I do to help?”

  A humorless chuckle flew from Jaggar’s mouth. “Do you have several hours for me to make a list?” He shook his head, his steel-colored eyes gazing into the distance. “Never mind me, it’s just been a long few days. I had a job interview as a possible ranch hand down around Brownwood, but I’m not going to make it now.” Kicking the tire, he frowned and let out an exasperated sigh. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do.”

  Revan pursed his lips and tilted his head, as if reassessing Jaggar. “You know how to work land and horses?”

  “Yessir.” He hooked a finger in a front belt loop of his jeans, below his tucked-in shirt. “My Daddy owned a ranch before I left for the Air Force. He sold it several years ago, but I’m trying to start fresh anyhow. I ain’t ever going back home if I can help it.” His Texas drawl was thick, drawing out the Is in each word. “It just seems like the universe is trying its best to throw me off my game.”

  “I’d be willing to give you a chance, if you want it.” Revan threw an arm over my shoulders. “I’m helping Sophie’s Aunt Merle get her land back in order, and I need someone to help with the horses and other things.”

  Jaggar’s eyes lit up, but then he slumped, as if remembering something. “That sounds mighty fine, sir, but my vehicle is on its last leg.” He rubbed a hand through his short military cut. “I don’t have a place to stay yet, either.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Revan smacked him on the back. “Come with us. I’ll take you to Imala and she will get you settled. She loves to stick her nose into other people’s business, so you should be a real treat for her.”